Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-03-24
Written for TIE Bsdcoa.)
Lord ClanVorth's Revenge.
BIZ OSrrA.

D1 ONITA.
An old time-honored Church will
moss-covefed walls. and ivy clingin,
about the cracked paint-worn case
ments; while hundreds of dead la,
slumbering beneath its very wings
Such was the strange place that servet
as a classroom for merry, restlesl
children in the year 1s-. School
buildings were then few and far be,
tween, and many and tiresome wer,
the steps that awaited those who wer,
eager to profit BY the scanty advan.
tages offered in country localities
Nevertheless, learning bravely strug
gled with the almost insurmountable
obstacles, which Fate scattered so pro.
fusely over the pathway Of Kuowl.
edge, and cultured men and women
still grace the arena Of life to glance
back mockingly at the hardships that
threatened destruction to their mental
progress.
1t is the hour of recess and the
Teacher stands smiling in the door.
way as his many pupils. both boys
and girls, scamper off in every direc.
tion, for an hours uninterrupted en-
Joyment; and, better still, to partake
of the substantial lunches, prepared
by loving hands and hid carefully
away inside each "tin-bucket." But,
only few moments can be spared for
this diversion lest too long time be
stolen from the coveted hour of recre-
alton; consequently. fried chicken,
boiled ham, blackberry pie, eggs, pre-
serves and endless varieties of cakes,
are crowded down the throats of all,
promiscuously, regardless of indiges-
tion and all its train of evils.
The playground is just opposite the
"old church" and a little removed
from the gravs-yard-a place which
each child had been taught to respect
even in moments of the widest mirth.
do come girls, and let's play
Ring" exclaims Lisette Lamonds,
and instantly they rise to comply with
A~. -oa"net "~1 - i--- .;.,,~ 49,
could be imagined hands are joined
and many voices sing out :
king William was King James
son &C." The boys too, have divided
into groups; some to play marbles,
and others to throw a ball over a very
dilapidated old stable-a game simply
enchanting to them and which they
had hOnored with the high-sounding
title of "Nickie, Nickie-nee, fire
ball to me" 1t would be difficult in
deed, to ascertain whose voice rises
highest in this fascinating sport, or
who does most running regardless Of
bare feet or stamped toes. The girls
too, seem untiring-all except Lisette,
who looks a little fatigusd as she
steals away to rest under the wide
spreading oaks and refresh herself
with a cool drink from the clear
spring they overshadow. In the cen.
ter Of the path leading to the spring
a number of boys are plucking, with
unabating interest, their favorite toy,
and as Lizette draws near them un-
heard, it is real temptation to kick
the allies from the ring and witness
the dismay that will ensue. She
thinks of this until the desire grows
so strong she yields and raising her
tiny foot the marbles are sent in every
direction.
"Oh." exclaim the boys while one
scowling face fastens its gaze upon
her, as he clenches his fist TO let it
fall with full force upon her frail
shoulder.
How dare you How could you
strike girl Mark Carson ?" shouts
out the furious but positive voice of
Roland Morrison. You coward -
he adds, as he grasps Marks arm to
stay the blow. "rll mash you up if
you dare to hurt her
And if you don't let 60 my arm,
replies angry Mark. I'll -"
do nothing" interrupts Roland,
more calmly now. Then, aside to Lii
zette, he says:
Where were you going ?"
To the spring" replies the child,
thoroughly frightened. Roland.
won't you come with me?"
He walks on beside her, but makes
no remark until they are fully out Of
sight; then, regarding Lizette re-
proachfully, he questions half-teuder-
ly. "LiEette. why did you do that
Did you not see how angry they
were?"
at was only for a joke" plead,
the child nsrvously and I did moi
think it would have made them s.
very angry" "Yes. / know" an